Isaiah 5:22
ESV
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
NIV
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,
NASB
Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing intoxicating drink,
CSB
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, who are champions at pouring beer,
NLT
What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.
KJV
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
NKJV
Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
What does Isaiah 5:22 mean?
This next "woe" statement (Isaiah 5:8, 11, 18, 20–21) condemns the broken values of Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah may be using sarcasm by referring to the drunkards as "heroes" and "valiant men" in the eyes of their peers. But he is also revealing that drinking and drunkenness has become such a staple of society that there were champions of the "sport." Those known for hedonism were idolized and imitated, instead of being corrected.It's important to note that Isaiah isn't condemning the drinking of alcohol in and of itself. He has already condemned the drinking and partying lifestyles of the people of Jerusalem (Isaiah 5:11–12). He is condemning drunkenness and skewed priorities of the people, as well as condemning injustice, as the following verse shows (Isaiah 5:23).
